DENVER – The MSU Denver men's tennis team is set to start its season on Monday.
 
The Roadrunners will face crosstown foe and NCAA Division I competitor Denver in a noon dual at the Denver Tennis Park.
 
Denver earned a 7-0 victory when the teams played last January.
 
"They're a great program that is coached very well and has a lot of talent out there," MSU Denver coach Josh Graetz said. "Our guys will have to be ready to go, but we don't want to put unnecessary pressure on ourselves. We probably won't have a tougher match this year."
 
After a year of COVID-19 related circumstances, a nearly all-international roster has reunited for the spring portion of the season.
 
"This semester has been better than last," Graetz said. "A couple of our guys stayed home in the fall. There are still challenges, but to have all nine of our guys here and around each other constantly is a plus."
 
The Roadrunners' list of returners is familiar. Daniel Llorente was 9-4 overall and 3-3 at No. 1 singles last year, Mateo Besada was 8-4 and 1-2 at No. 2, and Alejandro Martinez-Morilla was 6-5 and 1-3 at No. 3.
 
All have fared well in past ITA South Central regional tournaments, though the event wasn't held in 2020 due to the pandemic.
 
The talented roster extends beyond those three, however.
 
David Kijak was 8-3 in singles, Billy McDermott was 8-2 and Jack McDermott, Billy's brother, was 2-4.
 
"Everyone has a role," Graetz said. "We have nine on the roster, but only six are competing at times in duals, so three could be on the sideline at any time. It's important for our guys to be able to handle the adversity and the potential of not playing on a given week. Everyone has a role to play in our team's success."
 
MSU Denver also played Air Force in an exhibition match on Jan. 27, losing 7-0, but starts playing Division II opponents next week.
 
The Roadrunners' first home match is March 12 against Dallas Baptist.
 
The Roadrunners are also affiliate members of the Pacific West Conference for tennis and will start playing PacWest foes March 22 in a four-day, four-dual trip to California.